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Summer Art Workshops with Ann Cunningham
The Iowa Department for the Blind welcomes back tactile artist Ann Cunningham who will conduct a series of art workshops at the Department June 24 to 27.
See photos from the workshops.
Cunningham, who created the Department's permanent collection of public art, including a rendition of Grant Wood's iconic "American Gothic," will focus these workshops on teaching the public how a blind person appreciates art and how to make art accessible to those who do not process information through sight.
The first of three workshops will be held from 8 a.m. to noon June 24 and will be geared toward Department staff members, artists and art professionals who want to learn more about making art accessible to the blind and others with disabilities. This workshop will be a place where participants can discuss making art accessible and how art can open avenues of communication.
The second workshop will be for blind and visually impaired youth who are part of the Department's youth transition program. Called Artful Antics, the workshop will be held from noon on June 24 to noon on June 26. Participants will talk in depth about art appreciation, how pictures work and how to incorporate emotion and experience into artwork. They will travel to Gray's Lake and explore that area, then take their experiences back to the work room and create a piece of art that reflects that experience. They will also spend some time at the Des Moines Arts Festival.
A third workshop will be for blind and visually impaired adults. They will spend a half-day from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 26 learning about art and art accessibility.
All participants will have the opportunity to create their own piece of accessible art and share it with the public.
Pre-registration is required. To register for a workshop, contact Sandy Tigges at sandy.tigges@blind.state.ia.us or (515) 281-1313.
